Donna Echols, of The Echols Group, has been approved as Jackson’s new state lobbyist, a day after the Jackson City Council delayed a vote on the matter to give members a chance to meet with her.
The council approved Echols in a 4-0 vote at a special meeting called Wednesday morning. It is the first time the city has had a state lobbyist since 2022.
Speaking in a phone interview after the meeting, Echols outlined what the next steps are.
“It will be to get the legislation agenda from the mayor’s office and also seek council input on any items they may have, and then present those items to the council’s legislative committee,” she said. “Then we will call for a meeting of the Hinds County legislative delegation at the capitol and go over the wish list with them.”
Council President and Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay said the plan is for the council’s legislative committee to meet in the coming weeks to figure out what should be on the agenda for the lobbyist before the Mississippi Legislature session starts in January.